La Chartreuse de St Emilion

Grapevines twine through trellises and flowering vines climb the wallpaper at this spectacular chateau outside Bordeaux. The estate has all the hallmarks of an aristocratic retreat, from a private 2.5-acre park to gilt-edged mirrors reflecting elegant reception rooms to bedrooms bathed in toile. It’s only 3 minutes from St. Emilion, a medieval village with ancient churches and famed grands crus.

Each day of your holiday begins with a delivery of fresh pastries and continues with a chef-prepared lunch and dinner, served by a butler. (In between meals, you can snack on the macarons from your welcome basket.) Watch the sun shift across the vineyards from a lounger on the terrace, then open a bottle of local wine at the al-fresco dining table. Despite its historic cachet, the villa does have a TV, integrated sound system, Wi-Fi, and an elevator.

Traditional design lovers will find this vacation rental a nearly 10,000-square-foot piece of heaven in France. Creamy stone and a fanlight welcome you to the villa, and a checkerboard floor and sweeping staircase up the ante in the foyer. The living rooms and dining room are gorgeously wood-paneled, parquet-floored, and floral-wallpapered; the kitchen is fully equipped and fully modern.

Each of the four bedrooms at the chateau is a honeymoon-worthy retreat with a king bed, private en-suite bathroom, and a view of the vineyards—as well as the decidedly modern luxury of air conditioning. Together, they can welcome a group of four couples or up to eight family members.

The villa may feel like its own world, but it’s only 3 minutes from the heart of St Emilion, where you can marvel at 12th-century churches, climb a bell tower for panoramic views, and of course, sample plenty of local wine. The small city of Libourne makes a great day trip, as does the larger city of Bordeaux.

Grapevines twine through trellises and flowering vines climb the wallpaper at this spectacular chateau outside Bordeaux. The estate has all the hallmarks of an aristocratic retreat, from a private 2.5-acre park to gilt-edged mirrors reflecting elegant reception rooms to bedrooms bathed in toile. It’s only 3 minutes from St. Emilion, a medieval vill…